FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has defended his actions following a viral confrontation with a naval officer in Abuja, insisting he acted within his mandate and in defence of government officials.
Speaking on Thursday, Wike said it was unacceptable for civil servants to be assaulted while carrying out their lawful duties, stressing that no public officer should be above accountability.
“How can I sit as a minister while government officials are being attacked and beaten, even directors?” he said. “How do you expect them to work if they know their boss cannot protect them?”
Wike maintained that his office has always treated security agencies with respect, citing past interactions with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and General T.Y. Danjuma, who he said handled land-related issues politely and lawfully.
He insisted the Abuja incident was not a government-versus-military clash but a case of a private individual acting outside the law. According to him, the disputed land was allocated to Santos Limited for parks and recreation, and a request to change its use had previously been rejected. He alleged the individual involved unlawfully proceeded with work and may have misled a former Chief of Naval Staff.
Wike said the naval officer, Lt. Yerima, had no right to obstruct FCT officials or refuse to explain activities on the site. “Instead, they assaulted government officers. Simply because of a relationship with someone in the military? Who does that?” he asked.
The confrontation, captured in a viral video, has drawn widespread reactions, with figures including former Army Chief Gen. Tukur Buratai urging restraint and respect for institutions.
